The Hunter Within

I just did a podcast about the Kyle Rittenhouse shooting and what we can learn from it.  One of the mistakes Kyle may have made is running.

Running, or just moving faster than everyone else makes you stick out.  You will be noticed.  And everyone has this drive to either catch the person running or at least see what is happening.

If you run during a self-defense incident they are going to probably follow you.  You have to have a plan for it.

If you take flight and can’t outrun your attacker, your attacker is probably going to catch up to you.  Now what?

We always need a plan B.  Escape is a great plan A when anyone is attacking you.  But we always need a plan B.

In the military, the simple way is to run around or behind something and set a quick/hasty ambush for your follower.  What works in unit size tactics can work for you.

If you are caught in some kind of lethal force situation and you can escape, you probably should.  When you escape the safe way to do it, is put something, or a couple of somethings between you and the attacker and set a quick ambush.

A quick ambush is as simple as taking cover and being ready to shoot or counterattack anyone that comes after you.  This is done very easily and effectively after a doorway.

If you can run into another room from your attacker and get behind something for cover, now you can have tactical patience to see if your attacker follows.  If your attacker follows, you are in a great place of advantage to win the new confrontation. 

If your attacker doesn’t seem to be following you, look for your next move.  In the military, we call this bounding.  But don’t leave cover until you have that next spot to bound to.  Always have someplace to go before you move.

Don’t stay for a long time.  Cover has a time limit.  You have to move to win.  If you stay there you could end up in a stalemate or a prolonged gunfight.  We want neither.  Stay in your initial position for a couple of breaths to make sure the bad guy isn’t following you, then find someplace to move to.

Kyle moved away from the crowds with nowhere to go.  He took flight in panic and the people of the crowd could sense it.  They followed.  Half of them were on the hunt, and a half just wanted to see why this guy was running.  Half of the people hunting Kyle probably didn’t even know why they were running after this guy.  The hunter drive is deep in our evolution and takes training and practice to overcome.

You need to train, think, and practice to overcome this evolutionary drive.  You do not need to pursue your attacker.  You can let them go.  You don’t have to see what is happening over there if it could be dangerous.  You can live your life without knowing. 

Years ago, my wife and I took a cruise to Mexico.  It was glorious.  On one of the port-calls, we started walking away from the tourist trap area to see what it was like.  About a mile from the port a truck full of Mexican police with rifles at the ready drove by and stopped about a block ahead of us.  Everyone got out to raid a building.  I grabbed my wife by the hand and went down the next side street.  We raced away moving for a couple of blocks hoping not to hear gunfire.  I was on vacation and didn’t want anything to do with whatever was going on.

When we look at situations like mine, of course, we don’t want to be involved.  But in the moment sometimes our curiosity and primal drives get the best of us.  Don’t let it get the best of you.

Plan, think, train, and practice avoidance.  You don’t need to know what is going on.  You can walk away.

Stay Safe,

Ben

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